The next day, with the morning sun spilling gold over the grove, Lira stepped into the clearing where Renkai and Thalanir were waiting. Her heart beat fast, not from fear, but from the sheer weight of what she was about to attempt. The grove was alive with sounds—birds calling, leaves rustling in the soft breeze, and the faint hum of energy that seemed to rise from the very soil beneath her feet.
Thalanir folded his arms, his eyes glowing with that deep calm that reminded her of roots buried steady and unshakable. "We'll begin with the earth," he said gently, motioning toward the vines that curled at the edge of the grove. "The power of earth is steady, patient, and strong. It demands respect, and in turn, it gives foundation. You already feel its whisper—you need only learn to listen."
